The pictures reflect a dark tale of two World Cups — one on a field and one playing out on this country's streets.

Anti-World Cup sentiment in Brazil has been bubbling for some time and the country's fervent love of football is conflicting with public anger over charges of wasteful spending, corruption, traffic jams, strikes and a litany of other complaints.

Arguably, it speaks volumes that the people of Brazil, perhaps the greatest footballing nation in the world, do not want the World Cup.

"F*** FIFA" appears to be the general message many are trying to get across in artistic protest, with residents turning to street graffiti in an attempt to get their voices heard.

Recent polling shows half the population disapproves of Brazil hosting the event at all.

"There is certainly a mood of 'we've already paid for the party so we might as well enjoy it,'" said Juca Kfouri, one of Brazil's best-known sports commentators.

"But there is also the feeling that a lot of people are ashamed. They're ashamed to wear the Brazil jersey or put a Brazilian flag in their window because of the protests, because they don't want to be associated with the exorbitant spending on the Cup."

While Brazilians furiously attempt to finish their new stadiums, the biggest remaining question is whether spectators will even be able to get to the stadium for the opening match in São Paolo this coming Thursday.